Diabetic Heart Disease

Diabetes by itself puts you at risk for heart disease. Other risk factors include

Family history of heart disease

Carrying extra weight around the waist

Abnormal cholesterol levels

High blood pressure

Smoking

Some people who have diabetic heart disease have no signs or symptoms of heart disease. Others have some or all of the symptoms of heart disease.

Treatments include medications to treat heart damage or to lower your blood glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol. If you are not already taking a low dose of aspirin every day, your doctor may suggest it. You also may need surgery or some other medical procedure. Lifestyle changes also help. These include a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and quitting smoking.